Fluoroalkyl ethers of alicyclic fluoroolefins



United States Patent 3,549,606 FLUOROALKYL ETHERS 0F ALICYCLIC FLUOROOLEFINS Virgil W. Gash, Ballwin, Mo., assignor to Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Original application Jan. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 519,428, now Patent No. 3,497,563, dated Feb. 24, 1970. Divided and this application Sept. 23, 1969, Ser.

Int. Cl. C08f 3/20 US. Cl. 260-91.1 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A polymer of the formula The polymer is a flexible fire retardant thermoplastic.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 519,428, filed Jan. 10, 1966, and now US. Pat. No. 3,497,563.

This invention relates to novel fluoroalkyl ethers of alicyclic fluoroolefins, uses thereof and methods of preparation.

U.S. Pat. 2,613,228 (Robert P. Ruh applicant) discloses the preparation of alkyl ethers of alicyclic fluoroolefins wherein alkanols of 1 to 4 carbon atoms are reacted in a nonaqueous system with fluoroolefins. The prior art also teaches that perhaloolefins undergo hydrolysis when an attempt is made to react the perhaloolefins in an aqueous system, see for instance J. Org. Chem., 30, 1629-32 (1965). Therefore it was surprising to find that fluoroalkyl ethers of alicyclic fluoroolefins could be prepared in high yield using aqueous systems.

In accordance with this invention there are provided ethers of the formula (CF2)n--CG l wherein A is selected from the group consisting of X X and (|J--(|J- X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,

bromine, chlorine and fluorine;

Z is selected from the group consisting of fluorine and OCH (CF D and is fluorine when T is D is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine;

and n is a number from 1 to 7 and each m expression is a number from 1 to 12.

The products of this invention are most advantageously prepared by reacting a perfluoroalkanol with a perhalocycloolefin in the presence of a base and water. Particularly advantageous yields and desirable purities are obtained when the reaction system is an aqueous reaction system although nonaqueous systems may also be used.

Satisfactory bases for the process of this invention are the hydroxides of the alkali metals of Column Ia of the periodic table (see Fundamental Chemistry, 2nd ed., H. G. Deming, J. Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y.). The more convenient and equally satisfactory alkali metal hydroxides of this group are sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

The solvents employed in the process of this invention are water and the aprotic organic solvents which are water-miscible such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and acetonitrile.

The process of this invention is preferably carried out at a temperature range such as -50 degrees to 200 degrees centigrade and most preferably from about 0 degrees to about degrees centigrade for a time interval of about one-half to about 48 hours although preferably from about 10 to about 24 hours. While it is most convenient to carry out this process at atmospheric pressure, subatmospheric and superatmospheric pressures may be employed as appropriate in keeping with the other conditions of the reaction.

Ihe perfluoroalkanol reactants utilized in this invention are readily available. The alkanols may be utilized as either a commercial mixture of perfluoroalkanols or a particular fiuoroalkanol. The fluoroalkanols of this invention contain from 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Additionally dihydroxy fluoroalkanols or fiuoroglycols containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms are also useful in forming the compositions of this invention.

The perhalo cyclic olefins of this invention contain from 4 to 10 carbon atoms and contain one site of ethylenic unsaturation. The cyclic olefins may either be completely fluorinated compounds or may be fluorinated olefins having chlorine or bromine substitution on the ethylenically unsaturated carbon atoms. Among the useful olefins are 1,2-dichloro-3 ,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluoro-l-cyclopentene, hexafiuorocyclobutene, 1,2-dichloro-3,3,4,4-tetrafluorol-cyclobutene, octafluorocyclopentene,

decafluorocyclohexene, 1,2-dichloro-3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-l-cyclohexene, 1,2-dibromo-3,3 ,4,4-tetrafluoro-l-cyclobutene, 1,2-dibromo-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluorol-cyclopentene, 1,2-dibromo-3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-1-cyclohexene and other similar cyclic olefins.

The reaction of the previously described fluoroalkanols with the above-described cyclic olefins results in the structure When T is chlorine or bromine, further reaction of the fluoro cyclic olefin with fiuoroalkanol results in G and Z also being fluoro ether substituents due to what is believed the directional influence of the chlorine or bromine substituent. Bromine confers better fire resistance to such compounds while the chlorine substituent confers greater thermal stability. However, when T is fluorine further reaction of the fluoro cyclic olefin with the fiuoroalkanol results in diethers with G and Z being fluorine while T is a fluoroalkyl ether group.

The resulting diand trifluoro-alkyl ethers are very useful as functional fluids, e.g., hydraulic fluids, these materials have suitable pour points and viscosity slopes (determined by American Society Testing Materials (ASTM) D34l-39) as well as thermal stability to meet the critical requirements of hydraulic fluids. Additionally these materials find use as plasticizers and biological materials in the fields of medicine and agriculture chemicals. These diand tri-ethers are also useful as lubricants, heat transfer media, diffusion pump fluids, damping fluids, filter mediums for air conditioning systems, dielectric materials, flotation agents, greases and coolants requiring thermal stability, fire retardency and long lasting properties.

When the fluoroalkanol is a dihydric material a monoether of the structure H o CH2(O FQmCHZ o-o=o (Halogen) is obtained and a continuation of the reaction results in a polymer of the formula In each case x is equivalent to n+1, i.e., a number from 2 to 8, and y is a number from 2 to 1000 or more. The resulting polymer is a flexible fire retardant thermoplastic.

In summary the useful products of this invention are obtained by reacting one molar equivalent of olefin with 1 to 100 molar equivalents of fluoro-alcohol in the presence of 1 to a 100 molar equivalents of base and preferably 1 molar equivalent of olefin with 2 to 3 molar equivalents of alcohol and a like amount of base.

The following examples are illustrative of the invention but are not to be construed as limitations. In these examples all temperatures are in degrees centigrade and all parts are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1 To a solution of 2 grams (0.05 mole) of sodium hydroxide, 16.6 grams (0.05 mole) dodecafluoroheptanol, 20 ml. water, and 20 ml. tetrahydrofuran was added 4.1 grams (0.017 mole) of 1,2-dichloro-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluorol-cyclopentene. After an initial exothermic reaction, the stirred mixture was refluxed 24 hours. The cooled mixture was poured into water and extracted with two 100 ml. portions of carbon tetrachloride. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and distilled yielding 14.05 grams (54.9 percent yield) of nearly colorless oil, boiling point 168-178 degrees centigrade at 0.08 mm. of mercury vapor pressure, with a refractive index of n 1.3421. The product was 1-chloro-3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro 2,5,5 tri(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7 dodecafluoroheptyloxy)-1-cyclopentene which for convenience will be referred to as compound C.

Other triethers were prepared using the procedure of Example 1. For convenience these compounds are identified:

(A) 1-chloro-3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-2,5,5-tri(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-

heptylfluorobutyloxy -cyclopentene;

(B) 1-chloro-3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-2,5,5-tri(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-

octafluoropentyloxy)-l-cyclopentene;

(D) 1-chloro-3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-2,5,S-tri(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,

6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9-hexadecafiuorononyloxy)-1- cyclopentene;

(E) 1-chloro-3,3-difluoro-2,4,4-tri(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7

dodecafiuoroheytyloxy)-1-cyclobutene; and

(F) 1-chloro-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluoro-2,6,6-tri(2,2,3,3,4,4,

5,5 ,6,6,7,7-dodecafluoroheptyloxy) l-cyclohexene;

and the pertinent data is tabulated along with Compound C in Tables I and II below.

EXAMPLE 2 A previously prepared solution of 116 grams (0.35 mole) of dodecafluoroheptanol, 14.4 grams (0.36 mole) of sodium hydroxide, 30 ml. of water, and 100 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was added slowly to a solution of 25 grams (0.154 mole) of perfluorocyclobutene in 40 ml. tetrahydrofuran at C. A strong exothermic reaction was noted during the addition. Stirring was continued overnight at room temperature, then the mixture Was heated 4 slowly to reflux conditions for approximately three hours. The reaction product was then recovered as in Example 1. The product was 1,2-di(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecafluoroheptyloxy)-3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro 1 cyclobutene which for convenience will be referred to as Compound G.

The physical properties of Compound G and other diethers, 1,2 di(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecafluoroheptyloxy)-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluoro 1 cyclopentene (Compound H), 1,2-di(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecafluoroheptyloxy)- 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-octafluoro 1 cyclohexene (Compound I), prepared in the same manner, are tabulated in Tables I and II. Similar properties are obtained when other fluoroalkanols and perfluoro cyclic olefins are employed.

EXAMPLE '3 Chlorine was bubbled through 10.6 parts of Compound C on a steam bath for a period of 4 hours and then distilled to obtain 10 parts of a clear oil having a boiling point of degrees centigrade at 0.05 millimeter mercury vapor pressure and a refractive index of n 1.3437. Infrared analysis showed no absorption in the double bond region confirming the product as 1,2-dichloro-1,2-di(2,2,3,3,4,4, 5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecafluoroheptyloxy) 3,3,4,4 tetrafluorocyclobutane. For convenience this compound will be identi fied as J.

The ethers of this invention possess a combination of fire resistance and wide usable temperature range which makes them quite unique and well suited for use as a force transmission fluid (hydraulic fluid). The excellent fire resistance of these ethers can be demonstrated by the results obtained in the Molten-metal Test in which the fluid under evaluation is dropped from a medicine dropper or poured from a test tube onto the surface of molten aluminum alloy which has been heated to about 0 F. If spontaneous ignition does not occur, an ignition source, such as a spark or flame is placed in the vapors or determine if they can be ignited. In this test these ethers do not flash without a spark and with a spark are nonburning or are self-extinguishing.

The invented ethers are also useful as functional fluids in various other applications and thus can be used as an electronic coolant, a diffusion pump fluid, a synthetic lubricant and as a damping fluid.

As a result of the excellent physical properties of the compounds described above, improved hydraulic pressure devices can be prepared in accordance with this invention which comprise in combination a fluid chamber and an actuating fluid in said chamber, said fluid comprising the invented diand tri-ethers alone or in combination with minor amounts of other materials such as dyes, lubricity agents and the like. In such a hydraulic apparatus wherein a movable member is actuated by the above-described compounds, performance characteristics are obtainable which are superior to those heretofore obtainable.

Because of the excellent fire resistance of the compounds of this invention and their exceptionally low melting point and good lubricity, such ethers can be utilized in those hydraulic systems wherein power must be transmitted and the frictional parts of the system lubricated by the hydraulic fluid utilized. Thus, the novel functional fluids of this invention find utility in the transmission of power in a hydraulic system having a pump therein supplying the power for the system. In such a system, the parts which are so lubricated include the frictional surfaces of the source of power, namely the pump, valves, operating pistons and cylinders, fluid motors, and in some cases, for machine tools, the ways, tables and slides. The hydraulic system may be of either the constant-volume or the variable-volume type of system.

The compositions of this invention can also contain dyes, pour point depressants, antioxidants, viscosity index improvers, such as polyalkylacrylates and polyalkylmethacrylates, lubricity agents and the like.

The pumps may be of various types, including the piston-type pump, more particularly the variable-stroke piston p mp, h variable-discharge or variable displacement piston pump, radial-piston pump, axial-piston pump, in which a pivoted cylinder block is adjusted at various angles with the piston assembly, for example, the Vickers Axial-Piston Pump, or in which the mechanism which drives the pistons is set at an angle adjustable with the cue chloride and filtered to yield a white solid polymeric material. The filtrate was separated into organic and aqueous phases, the organic layer washed with a solution of sodium chloride and sodium carbonate and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was then removed on a cylinder block; gear-type pump, which may be spur, helisteam bath under water pump vacuum to yield a second cal or herringbone gears, variations of internal gears, or polymer fraction. It is considered that the formula below a screw pump; or vane pumps. The valves may be stop correctly represents the polymers of this example.

valves, reversing valves, p1lot valves, thrott mg valves, se OCH2(CF)3OH2O C quence valves or relief valves. Fluid motors are usually constantor variable-discharge piston pumps caused to ro- F1 7 tate by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid of the system Similar polymers are obtained when other diols and/ or with the power supplied by the pump power source. Such other olefins are substituted for the olefins and diols of a hydraulic motor may be used in connection with a varithe preceding example. able-discharge pump to form a variable-speed transmis- While this invention has been described with respect sion. to various specific examples and embodiments, it is to TABLE I D(CF2)XGH2 C -01 I OCH2(CF2)mD (CF96- o-onz oF2 ,..D

B.P., 0. Infrared at m. M. wt. Percent mercury B.P., calcdJ Absorption Compound D m 71 yield pressure F9 found 11 (cn1.

Extrapolated boiling point from vapor pressure data. 11 Molecular weights determined by osmorneter (CHCla solvent).

TABLE II.-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES ASTM Density Viscosity (cs., F.) slope F.)

(100 TD Compound o 100 210 400 210 F.) 100 210 F.)

"A four-ball lubrication test was run on this fluid; conditions: 40 kg.. 1,260 r.p.1n., one

hour, 400 F., tool steel on tool steel. Result: 0.88 mm. scar.

From the foregoing tables it will be apparent that one be understood that the invention is not limited thereto can obtain values intermediate to the compounds disclosed by utilizing mixtures of fluoroalcohols in place of a particular alcohol and also by the use of cyclic fiuoroolefins containing 7 to 12 carbon atoms as well as the lower carbon atom fluoroolefins which have been used in the preceding examples. Additionally it will be apparent that the above products are fire resistant.

EXAMPLE 4 A solution of 25 parts of 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafiuoro-1,5-pentanediol, 9.6 parts of sodium hydroxide, 15 parts of water and 26.6 parts of tetrahydrofuran was added slowly to a cold (approximately -15 degrees centigrade) solution of 19.4 parts of hexafiuorocyclobutene in 35.5 parts of tetrahydrofuran. The temperature was maintained at a temperature of -15 to --10 degrees centigrade during the addition after which it was gradually warmed to about 22 degrees centigrade over a 3 hour period. The mixture was then heated to reflux conditions for 15 minutes. Then the mixture was cooled, diluted with 13 3.6 parts of methylwherein n is a number from 1 to 7, y is at least 2 and m is a number from 1 to 12.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,046,261 7/1962 Iserson 26092. 1 3,397,191 8/1968 Beckerbauer 260--92.1

HARRY WONG, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

